Texas Frogfruit can be used as an excellent ground cover and is evergreen in warm years. It is also evergreen in areas protected from frost. It spreads vigorously. Frogfruit generally is a good nectar plant for butterflies. It is an attractive plant rambling over boulders or the edges of hanging baskets. It also can tolerate drought and flooding.

This species is a member of the verbena family (family Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and 3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of tropical and warm temperate regions. Among them, teak is a highly prized furniture wood, and Vervain, Lantana, Lippia or Frog Fruit, and Chase Tree or Vitex are grown as ornamentals.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A great groundcover for full sun and part shade areas, with trailing foliage and charming, mini-verbena-like flowers. Would also do well as a pot plant. Use Wildlife: Attracts numerous insect pollinators. Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies Larval Host: Phaon Crescentspot, Buckeye, and White Peacock butterflies Nectar Source: yesDeer Resistant: Moderate

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Mr. Smarty Plants says

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Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT0612 Collected May 30, 1992 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT0676 Collected Jul 18, 1992 in Bandera County by Harry CliffeNPSOT0179 Collected May 15, 1991 in Bexar County by Judith C. BerryNPSOT0535 Collected Jul 28, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT0405 Collected Jun 6, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White